PHILLIES: Kendrick goes the distance, offense comes through

Philadelphia Phillies catcher Erik Kratz, left, and starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick, right, celebrate after Kendrick pitched a complete baseball game 4-0 shutout of the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Friday, April 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK — The Phillies had lost their last three, four of their last six, eight of their last 11 and much, if not all, of their recent mystique as they arrived Friday at CitiField.

Yet the scene early — hours before a three-game weekend series against the Mets — told Charlie Manuel they had not lost everything.

The early activity around the cage, in the infield and around the warning tracks said what the scoreboard would echo later. They had not lost their desire.

“Our guys are definitely up and into it and have energy and things like that,” Manuel said. “It’s hard to explain. We have a hard time knocking runs in when we get guys on base. I think that is our biggest thing. Also we have to play better defense. And actually we have to pitch better, too.”

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That plan simplified, outlined and delivered, the Phillies followed it intently Friday in a 4-0 victory that, for one night at least, was a rare reminder of their potential. With a mid-game demonstration of the danger of the top of their order, the Phillies protected the splendid starting pitching of Kyle Kendrick to open a five-game road trip.

After continuing their years-long struggle to hit early, the Phillies unloaded on New York starter Dillon Gee in the sixth when Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley singled, Rollins scored on a Michael Young single, and Ryan Howard fired his third home run of the season over the center field fence.

Kendrick pitched a five-strikeout complete-game, allowing three hits, all singles, to improve to 2-1. He needed 107 pitches, and held the Mets (10-11) without a hit from the fourth inning until Justin Turner’s single in the eighth. That was enough to blur the reality of their eight run-free innings.

The complete game was the third of Kendrick’s career. His only other shutout came last May 26 in a 4-0 victory in St. Louis. He is 3-1 in his career at CitiField.

Not that the Phillies were made to feel unwelcome at Citizens Bank Park, but there was something of a renewal Friday. Though Manuel said the pregame on-field buzz was not much more well-attended than usual at the top of a road trip, he did notice a certain bounce.

“Sometimes it is definitely good to get away from home,” Manuel said. “But not when you start playing good and start putting your game together and winning a couple of games and getting in the flow, and things are working for you and you are playing good and got your game together.

“We haven’t had our game together all year long. Our pitching, defense and hitting hasn’t come together yet. That’s what it is — a game where you consistently outplay the other team by playing the game right. And that comes from those three things.”

Rollins walked to open the game, not that it would immediately inspire the offense. That’s because he was picked off by Gee, even if the TV replays — and Rollins’ reaction — indicated that he was safe.

Until the sixth, the Phillies would generate three hits, none deep, one a shallow Laynce Nix double that New York right fielder Mike Baxter appeared to lose in the lights.

But they fielded acceptably, pitched strongly and collected eight hits — capitalizing on their eariler-in-the-day dedication.

If they’d care to repeat the process Saturday afternoon, their manager wouldn’t mind.

“I am concerned about our team,” Manuel said before the game. “I want to see us play better, of course. I want to see us play like people think we can play. We’ll get to that let’s-see basis.